Sadly, it's not unbelievable at all. It stinks, but it's not surprising!

It's the low and slow season and the island 'low-life' will take advantage of every situation. Sadly, nothing new here.

The article doesn't say so specifically, but I'm guessing these people were alone and that in itself is NOT a particularly good idea, and for sure not in the more isolated locations of the island. Probably not the best time to enjoy some of these more isolated venues - Cupecoy, Happy Bay, Hidden Beach, etc., unless doing so in a group. There is usually more safety in numbers though not always, but it really stinks we have to think this way.

Respectfully,

pat

"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eatthem."

yes, but it is ok to walk the back roads of Beacon Hill after dark. Even though a local real resident advised against it.

Wendell

Wendell,

Please don't confuse the issues. I get your reference but that was an old post and really NOT the same thing at all. Many will not be aware of those old posts and will try to conflate the two based on your comment. This particular event was a gun point robbery and during the daylight hours.

(But for what it's worth, I agreed with Lesley then and wouldn't do it, regardless of how 'safe' some think it might be.)

Respectfully,

pat

"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eatthem."

I spoke to Danny about it yesterday. Danny was away from Cupecoy for two days, off-island. The robbery happened while he was gone. The version I heard is that this was a car jacking, and it happened at gunpoint. In any case, it didn't happen in Danny's parking area, and it didn't happen while Danny was there.

Today Cupecoy beach is calm. Danny is there, and there are two couples on the beach.

Cupecoy Beach is easily watched from above on the cliff. The robbers could have watched the couple from above and might even have known Danny was not around.Very sad to here this and hope it is a one time incident.

True, if your thinking about mass shooting but having numbers with an incident like this could be a deterrent. They might think twice before they commit a crime of opportunity like this.

Like armed robbery In the middle of the day in P'burgs jewelry stores? These gun carrying punk thieves don 't give a hoot who is around because most of the time they never get caught and get away with it. So now what beaches shall we go to?

Originally Posted by sxmmartini

Cupecoy Beach is easily watched from above on the cliff. The robbers could have watched the couple from above and might even have known Danny was not around.Very sad to here this and hope it is a one time incident.

And do you believe this would not have happened if Danny were there? Is he a police officer with a gun who would stop a robbery? And I don't believe this is a "one time incident". SXM is no longer safe.

Danny told me that last week he saw two young guys approach the beach on a scooter, wearing helmets they didn't want to take off. They didn't look like they came to enjoy the beach, and he approached them and told them to leave. Danny also let me know that he has a machete tucked into the rafters of his bar -- he wanted me to know that he keeps it handy.

Not putting yourself in harms way is not placing yourself in an isolated location anywhere on the island day or night. Its knowing that for as much fun as the island is and how "friendly" the islanders can be, there are still non favorable elements/predators out there. It requires a person to use common sense and to watch ones back wherever you and at whatever time of day it may be. I am not sure why this is surprising.

This type event really bothers me. I understand the the criminal mind that is conducting these activities (robbing a tourist in broad daylight) is not a representation of the island as a whole. But unfortunately if this type of activity continues to take place the bad news will spread. People in general tend to gravitate towards drama and bad news over positive things.

If people start to not feel safe going to the Beach on an island that boast the "Best Beaches in the Caribbean" then how will that affect the tourism? Like I stated earlier, bad news always spreads much faster that the good.

Now, I personality have always felt safe going out on St. Martin. Whether it was walking down the strip in in the evening Grand Case, going out for dinner after dark in Cul De Sac, or just driving back to our condo after dark from anywhere on the island. But that may be just my personality. We are pretty adventurous folks and I think people can tell weather or not you make an easy target or not just by the way you handle yourself.

Anyways I sincerely hope that this is an isolated event. This poor island has been through enough in the last couple of years and doesn't need any more bad press or bad karma.

***********************************************

Next vacation is scheduled for February 7th through February 19th in Grand Cayman.

Many years ago!!! We were on mullet beach, but the far side away from crowd. My husband took a walk, and I was just laying in the sand on my stomach. I all of a sudden looked up and two guys where approaching me. I stood up and pretended to be calling my husband out loud and I mean loud... they started to walk back and away, but had I not done that who knows... Now we never go where its secluded no matter how nice it is. by the way they took off on motor bikes... yup they were headed to me, and not for my noise who knows... Ok well. Your surroundings are all important, and for those that think you can go and come any time of day without thought?? think again. We now are very careful at night, and never go out to isolated places. We try to stay local to where we are staying, and have changed life style alot over the years... thats the way it is. And by the way??? Major hurricane, expect crime.. just the way it is. we know, we lived through luis and the small ones after and now irma... too be expected... my nine cents

My question was not whether he is 'policing' or providing security for the beach but whether he had someone providing service on the beach meaning chair, umbrellas and food and drink when he is not there.

My understanding from the DH article is that the incident occurred at the section of beach close to the Ocean Club, which is somewhat difficult to access, and Dany rarely services that section of beach. 20 years ago my husband and I encountered a couple who had been carjacked in that parking lot at gunpoint. As was stated earlier in this thread, there are many places and beaches on the island where one should not go alone. Period.

This morning we noticed that a police car had pulled into the parking area near the Ocean Club that Wendy is talking about, and then pulled out after checking the area. Increased police patrols can't hurt.

By the way, active demolition work has been proceeding at the Ocean Club over the last three weeks. They're knocking down the buildings and hauling away the rubble. Not done yet, though.

Thank You for the update! The demolition of Ocean Club should really clean up that area. I hope that guy who charged for parking comes back.I would pay him two bucks and he stayed all day to watch my car. Paid security should be supported in the interest of beach goers and tourists.